Tool for use in wells



Nov- 10, 1942. c. K. Hom 2,301,624

TOOL FOR USE 1N WELLS Filed Aug. 19, 1940 5a 34 35 sa /36 7i /g il l./lili 1--43 49 W62 7 P--44 o L l o j M45 O 0 LI 0 O 42 (ff PatentedNov. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE TOOL FOR USE IN WELLS CharlesK. Holt, Bakersfield, Calif. Application August 19,11940, vSerial No.353,170

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a well tool yand relates more particularly toa tool for discharging cement slurry, acid and other uids in wells andadapted to be employed in locating leaks in well casings, etc. A generalobject of this invention is to provide an improved tool to be run into awell on a tubular well string and formed to discharge cement slurry,acid, water, or other fluid through a port or perforations in a welllining or casing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the characterreferredV to embodying a novel fluid discharge member capable ofconcentrating the discharge of the cement slurry, acid, or other fluidat a selected point in the well and serving to prevent or to reduce to aminimum the escape or leakage of the fluid along the interior of theWell casing or lining.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the charactermentioned that provides for the very accurate placement of thedischarged fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well tool of thecharacter mentioned that may be run into and out of the weil and movedabout in the well as desired with a minimum of resistance'by the fluidin the well and without producing an unwanted swabbing action.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of the characterreferred to embodying a simple, effective means whichprovides for `theilushing or washing of the tool and the interior of the casing followingthe placement of the cement slurry or other iluid.d

Another object of this inve'ntion'is to provide a well tool of thecharacter mentioned that is simple and easy to operate and that is notliable to become caught or cemented in the well.

A further object of this invention is to provide a well tool of thecharacter referred to embodying a novel control for the valve whichfacilitates the ready washing or flushing of the tool and well casingand that allows free movement of the tool' in the well.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical preferredforms and applications of the invention,` throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tool provided by this invention in awell lining or casing, showing the control in a released or inactivecondition. Fig.y 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinol detailedsectional view of the tool with the control inactive, showing certainparts of the vprovided in the upper outer section control in elevation.Fig. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal detailed sectional view of aportion of the tool with the control in side elevation, showling thecontrol active and holding the valve open.

Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged transverse detailed sectional views taken asindicated by lines 4-4 and 5 5, respectively, on Fig. 2. Figs. 6 and 7are reduced side elevations of the packer or discharge member that isembodied in the tool illustrating different forms of discharge openings.

The well tool of the present invention may be said to comprise,generally, a body structure I0, a packer or fluid discharge member II onthe body structure I0 adapted to receive fluid from they interiorthereof, a valve I2 for controlling the circulation of fluid through thebody struc ture I0, and a control I3 for the valve I2.

The body structure I0 mounts or carries the discharge member II, thevalve I2 and other elements, and is adapted to be secured to the lowerend of a tubular' Well string I4 for conducting fluid into the well. Thebody structure I0 is a tubular assembly made up of spaced inner andouter tubular parts. In the form of the invention illustrated the bodyIIJ includes; an outer tubular section I 5 provided at its upper endwith a threaded on coupling I6. An upper outer section II is threaded inthe coupling I6 to extend upwardly therefrom and a collar or sub I8 isthreaded in the upper end of this section I1. The sub I8 may be threadedon the lower end'of the string I4 to attach the tool to the string. Acollar or sub I8 is threaded on the lower end of the main outer sectionI5.

The body structure I0 further includes an inner section or tube 20within the outer sections I5 and II. The opposite ends of the tube 20are secured in the subs I8 and I 9, As illustrated, the opposite endportions of the tube 20 may be forcefitted or Welded in internal sockets2| in the subs I8 and I9. The upper end of the tube 20 is in directcommunication with the lower end of the well string I 4. In accordancewith the invention the tube 20 is spaced from the inner walls of theouter sections I5 and II to leave an annular fluid passage 22 whichextends longitudinally through the body structure I0. Ports 23 are II toplace the upper part o1' the passage 20 in communication with the wellor the interior of the well casing C.

The packer or dischargev member II is carried by the body structure I0to engage in the well lining or casing C 'and is formed to dischargefluid under pressure outwardly through ports, perforations, leaks orother openings in the casing. In accordance with the invention thedischarge member il is a hollow or chambered element formed in whole orin part of a flexible resilient and expansible material such as rubber,rubber composition, synthetic rubber, or the like. The discharge memberIl is an elongate element that is generally cylindrical in a zonebetween its ends to fit and seal in the cylindrical well lining orcasing C. The opposite end portions of the member il are taperedor'rounded in to t about the outer section i5 of the body structure lil.The member il is arranged on the section l5 to have its upper endadjacent the coupling i6 and to have its lower end adjacent the sub i9.Retaining cups 24 are provided on 4the section I5 to engage about andhold the end portions of the member il. The cups 2t .engage against andif desired may be secured to the coupling i3 and the sub i9. If desiredthe packer or discharge member i l may be reinforced by wires, fabric,or the like, extending vertically and anchored in its end portions, orthe member l .l may be plain or with-,- out reinforcement asillustrated.

One or more discharge orices or openings 25 are provided in the memberil. The openings 25 are provided in the cylindrical intermediate portionof the member H and may be of any required or selected' shape and size.In Figs. l

and 2 of the drawing I have shown a round or Y .fslot's and openings ofvarious forms in the well casing or lining.

Means is provided to deliver fluid under pressure from the interior ofthe -tube 2li to the interior of the member l l to expand the member l iand to discharge from the opening or openings 25. Pairs of alignedlateral openings 26 are provided in the tube 2l! and outer body sectionl5 andV short nipples or tubes 21 are secured in the openings 25. Thetubes 21 place the interior of the tube 20 in communication with theinterior of the discharge member Il. The tubes 21 may be spacedvertically and circumferentially as .illustrated. The fluid dischargetubes 2l may be riveted, welded, or otherwise secured and sealed in theopenings 26.

The valve l2 controls the lower end of the tube 2G, serving to close thelower end of the tube when fluid is to be discharged from the member Il. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention any selectedform of valve may -be provided to control the lower end of the tube 23.In the case illustrated the valve l2 is a ballvalve engaging downwardlyagainst a seat 23 at the lower end of the inner tube 2G. .The seat 28may be formed on or secured tothe sub I9. A pin 29 may be arrangedtransversely through the tube 2D abovethe valve l2 to prevent the valvel2 is engaged on its seat 28 fluid under pressure delivered to the tube2i! by the string i4 is obliged to discharge through the tubes 21 'tothe member H for nal discharge from the opening or openings 25. Thecontrol I3 is provided to govern the valve l2 to facilitate the easymovement and operation upward loss or displacement oi the valve.4 Whenof the tool in the well and to provide for the 15 thereon. from the bodystructure I0.

washing or ushing of the tool and the interior of the well lining orcasing C." The control i3 is arranged at the lower end of the bodystructure I0 and includes a hollow cage or cap 30 threaded on the lowerend of the sub I9 and a mandrel 3| shiftably entering the cap. Themandrel 3l extends downwardly from the cap 30 and carries a cone 32. Astem or pipe 33 is secured to the cone 32 and extends downwardlytherefrom. The mandrel 3i and. the cone 32 are preferably tubular toplace the pipe 33 in communication with the interior of the cap 30.'I'he upper end of the mandrel 3l is provided with a frusto-conical or Ytapered lifting part 34 for lifting the valve I2 from its seat 28. Thevalve lifting part 34 preferably has transverse slots or A.otches 35 to`permit the passage of fluid into the mandrel 3ly when the valve l2 isopen. An enlargement or crown 3B is provided on the mandrel 3| withinthe cap 30. The crown 36 and the cap 30 are provided with disengageablelugs 31 and 31a respectively. The lugs 31 on Ithe crown 36 areengageable with an upwardly facing shoulder 38 in the cap 30 to supportor suspendfthe .mandrel 3l and the parts With the lugs 31 of the crown3B engaged on the shoulder 38 the lugs of the crown and cap 30 are inmesh as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5 of the drawing, so that the bodystructure l0 and mandrel 3l are vconnected. against relative turning.When the lugs 31 and 31a are out of mesh or disengaged, as illustratedin Fig. 3 of the drawing, the lifting part 34 supports the valve I2above its seat 28 so that the interior of the cap 33 is in communicationwith the interior of the tube 2D. The sub I9 is ported to put theinterior of the cap 39 in communication with the passage 22. Spacedvertical ports 4!) are provided in the sub I9 and extend downwardly fromthe end of the passage 22 to the interior of the cap 30. If desired,lateral ports il may be provided in the Wall of the cap 30 to put theinterior of the cap in communication with ythe wall orV casing C belowthe discharge memberl Il.

The control i3 further includes a gripping mechanism or slip mechanismfor engaging in the well lining or casing C. This slip mechanismincludes a pair of vertically spaced rings or sleeves 42 shiftablyengaged on the pipe 33 below the cone 32. Spaced outwardly bowed springs43 eX- tend between and connect the sleeves 42. The springs 43 areformed to frictionally engage in the lining or casing C Ito resistmovement of the sleeves 42 in the well. A set of gripping slips 44 isconnected with the upper sleeve 42 and cooperates with the cone 32.Links or reins 45 are pivotally connected with the lower ends of theslips 44 and with the upper sleeve 42 to couple the slips 44 with thespring sleeve 42. The surface of Ithe cone 32 slopes downwardly andinwardly so that downward movement of the mandrel 3l and cone 32 withrespect to the slips 44 -actuates the slips outwardly into grippingcooperation with the interior of the casing C.

Releasable latch means is `provided to control the slots 48.l

the lugs .31 and 31u of the crown 35 and cap 30 are adapted to mesh forthe transmission of rotation or turning from the body structure I to themandrel 3| and when the lugs 31 and 31 are in mesh the string I4 may beturned and then lowered to release the pin 46 from the latch 41. Duringthis operation the springs 43 engaged in the casing C resist movement ofthe sleeves 42 so that the latch 41 remains stationary when the pin 46is disengaged from it. The frictional engagement of the springs 43 inthe casing C further serves to hold the slips I4 against movement whenthe cone 32 is moved downwardly Vto expand the slips against theinterior of the casing. The engagement of the slips 44 in the lining orcasing C operates to hold the mandrel 3| against further downwardmovement so that the body structure I0 maybe moved downwardly to causeopening of the valve I2.

The control I3 further includes a releasable latch means for latching orholding the mandrel 3| in the position where the valve I2 is open sothat the tool may be freely moved through the well with the slips 44retracted and with the valve I2 open. This releasable latch means servesto couple the mandrel 3| to the cap 39 when the mandrel is in its raisedposition relative to the body structure I0. Inverted L-shaped slots 48are provided i." the cap 38 and pins 49 on the mandrel 3| cooperate withthe slots. As shown in Fig. 2 ofthe drawing, the pins 49 are normally orinitially in the vertical arms of When the body structure IIJ is moveddownwardly to release the pin 46 from the latch 41 and to actuate theslips 44 the pins 49 are received in the upper parts of `the slots 48.Accordingly, when the slips 44 are actuated and the valve =I2 is open,as shown in Fig. 3, the pins 49 may be in the upper parts of the slots48. If it is desired to latch the valve I2 opened the body structure IIIis turned, while the slips 44 remain set, to move the pins 49 into thelateral arms of the s1ots-48. The lateral arms of the slots 48 havedepressed seats 50 for receiving the pins 49. The seats 5l) serve toreleasably retain the pins 49 in the lateral arms of the slots 48 sothat the mandrel 3| is latched in its raised position to hold the valveI2 open. With the pins 49 engaged in the seats 50 the body structure I0may be raised to release the slips 44 and turned to re-engage the pin 46with the latch 41. The pins 49 remain engaged in the seats 50 when theslips are retracted and the pin 46 is re-engaged with the latch 41. Withthe valve I2 held open by the co-operation of the pins 49 in the slots48 the tool may be moved up and down in the well while discharging fluidto flush the interior of the casing C Vand may be freely withdrawn fromthe well with little or no resistance offered by the fluid in the well.

Ifdesired, the tool may be provided with a swab element or sealingelement 52 for preventing the excessive leakage of the delivered cementslurry or other fluid upwardly in the casing C above the dischargemember II. The swab elementor sealing element 50 may be supported by atubular carrier 53 clamped between the coupling I6 and a. shoulder 54 onthe upper body section I1. The swab elementl or sealing element 52 ispreferably a flexible resilient member of inverted cup shape. Theelement 52 is adapted to seal outwardly against the interior of thecasing C.

In the use or operation of the tool provided by this invention the bodystructure I0 may `the pump handling the fluid.

yvalve is freed from its seat.

be secured to the lower end of a well string I4 intended to deliverfluid into the well. The tool is preferably run into the well on thestring I4 in the condition illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawingwith the slips 44 retracted and the pin 48 engaged in the latch 41. Thevalve I2 is free to open if the tool encounters a cclumn of standingiluid in the casing C and such :luid does not interfere with the freelowering of the tool through the casing. The tool is lowered andpositioned to bring the opening or openings 25 to points where they maydeliver the fluid to openings or ports in the casing C, When the toolhas been positioned in this manner the fluid to be intreluced into thewell is passed or pumped down through the string I4. This fluid ilowsdown through the tube 2B and passes through the tubes 21 into theinterior of the discharge member II. The fluid under -pres sure in themember expands the member so that its intermediate cylindrical parteffectively seals with the inner surface of the casing C. If the opening25 or any one of the openings 25 is in `communication with the port inthe casing C the fluid under pressure is free to discharge into the wellaround the casing. If, on the other hand, the opening or openings 25 areout of register with the port or ports in the casing C the fluid cannotdischarge from the member II and the operator at the ground surface ismade aware of the incorrect positioning of the tool by the back pressuredeveloped in If such a back pressure develops the string I4 may be movedup or down to bring the opening or openings 25 into communication withthe port or ports in the casing C. The necessary or desired quantity offluid may be pumped down through the string I4 to discharge through theopening or openings 25 and the port or ports in the'casing C into thewell around the casing. The iiuid thus discharged into the well aroundthe casing C may be cement slurry, acid, water, or any other fluid. Thevalve I2 is in the closed position during the placement of the fluid andprevents the discharge of fluid into the cap 30. The expanded dischargemember II eifectively seals with the casing C around the opening oropenings 25 to prevent any substantial leakage of fluid into the casing.In the event that fluid leaks into the casing C above -the member it isprevented from flowing upwardly through the casing by the sealingelement 52.

Following the placement of the cement slurry, acid, or other fluid, itmay be desired to flush out the tool and the casing C. To prepare thetool for this flushing operation the string I4 is turned a shortdistance and is lowered. This disengages the pin 46 from the latch 41and actuates the slips 44 as described above. With further lowering ofthe string I4 the cone 32 actuates the slips 44 and the slips hold themandrel 3| and associated parts against further downward movement.Downward movement of the body structure Il) and string I4 following thesetting of the slips 44 brings the valve I2 against the upper end of thepart 34, and the Water or other flushing fluid is then pumped downthrough the string I4 to pass the valvel I2 and enter the cap 30. Thisflushing fluid is free to ow upwardly through the passage 22 todischarge from the ports 23 to flush the casing C. The fluid deliveredto the cap 39 may also pass down through the mandrel 3| and pipe 33 andmay pass through the ports 4|. Thus the Washing or flushing fluid isadapted to flush clean both i the upper and lower portions of the tooland the parts of the casing C above and below the 'Ab packing element ordischarge member Il. The washing operation may clear the tool and thecasing of excess cement, acid, or the like.

When the above operations have been completed the tool may be withdrawnfrom the well or may be moved to another location in the well forfurther operation. Assuming that the slips 44 are set or expanded, asabove described, the tool is readily conditioned for free movementthrough the well for withdrawal or for movement 'to a new location byturning the string |41 to bring the seats 5U of the slots 48 intoreceiving relation to the pins 49. The string i4 is then raised torelease the slips 44 and is turned a slight distance to re-engage thepin i6 with the latch di. This latches the slips d4 in their retractedpositions while the pins i9 remain engaged in the seats iii). With theparts in this condition the tool may `be readily moved either up or downin the Well while discharging circulation fluid or flushing fluid downthrough the string i4. The discharge of the cleaning or flushing iluidfrom the tool. while moving the tool in the well assures a full cleaningof the interior of the casing C. With the valve i2 latched open as abovedescribed, the tool may be freely withdrawn from the well or moved to anew location for further operation.

In the above detailed description of the operation it was consideredthat the tool was operated in a well casing, liner, or other liningelement. It is to be understood that the tool is not restricted to thisparticular use. The uid placement tool of the invention is suitable foruse in an open well or a portion of a well without casing, for example,it may be used in squeeze jobs around shoes, for installing bottom holeplugs under pressure, for cementing around casing strings under pressurewhere leaks may be present, and for many other purposes.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the speciedetails herein set forth, but Wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modincations that may appear to those skilled in the art or fallwithin the scope of the following claims. y Having described myinvention, I claim:

1. A tool for placing duid in a well and adapted for use on a tubularwell string comprising a iluid discharge member for engaging in the welland having at least one lateral discharge opening for discharging fluid,a body structure to be secured to said string and carrying said member,the body structure having a rst passage leading from the string to themember so that fluid from the string may be discharged from saiddischarge opening and having a second passage leading from the firstpassage to the interior of the well lining, and a valve normally closingsaid second passage from the rst passage and adapted to be opened bymanipulation of the string.

. 2. A tool for placing nuid in a well and adapted for use on a tubularwell string comprising a nuid discharge member for engaging in the welland having at least one lateral discharge opening, a. body structure tobe secured to said string and carrying said member, the body structurehaving a first passage leading from the string to the member so that uidfrom the string may be discharged from said discharge opening and havinga second passage leading from the first passage to the interior of thewell lining, a valve govlerning communication between said passages, and

ing in communication with the interior of the body structure wherebyfluid may be pumped from the ground surface through the string to thedischarge opening, and a valve below the packer member operable bymanipulation of the string for putting the interior of the body incommunication with the Well.

4. A tool for use on a tubular well string comprising a body structurexed to the string, a discharge member of packing material secured to thebody structure and having at least one lateral discharge opening, thedischarge member sealing with the well wall around the dischargeopening, the body structure having a rst passage leading from the stringto the discharge opening whereby fiuid may be passed down through thestring to the discharge opening and having a second passage joining thefirst passage -below the discharge opening and communicating with theinterior of the well, a valve normally closingoil communication betweensaid passages, and means operable by manipulation of the string foropening the valve.

5. A tool for use on a tubular well string comprising a body structurefixed to the string, a discharge member of packing material secured tothe body structure and having at least one lateral discharge opening,the discharge member sealing with the well wall around the dischargeopening, the body structure having a rst passage leading from 'thestring to the discharge opening whereby fluid may be passed down lthrough the string to the discharge opening and having a second passagejoining the rst passage below the discharge opening and communicatingwith the interior of the well above the discharge member, a valve forpreventing the delivery of :duid from the first passage to the secondpassage, and a control carried by the body structure operable bymovement or the string for opening the Valve.

6. A tool for use on a tubular well string comprising a body structurexed to the string, a discharge member of packing material secured to thebody structure and having at least one latteral discharge opening, thedischarge member sealing with the well wall around the dischargeopening, the body structure having a rst passage leading from the stringto the discharge opening whereby uid may be passed down through thestring to the discharge opening and having a second passage joining thefirst passage below the discharge opening and communicating with thewell above and below the discharge member and forming a by-pass aroundthe discharge member, a valve for closing oi communication between thepassages, and means operable by movement of the string for opening thevalve to permit the delivery of fluid from the string to the secondpassage.

7. A tool for use on a tubular well string comprising a body structurexed to the string. a discharge member of packing material secured to thebody structure and having at least one lat.- teral discharge opening,the discharge member sealing with the well wall around the dischargeopening, the body structure having a iirst passage leading from thestring to the discharge opening whereby .uid may be passed down throughthe string to the discharge opening and having a second passage joiningthe rst passagebelow the discharge opening and communicating with thewell, a valve for preventing the delivery o! iluid from the iirstpassage to the second passage, and means operable to hold the valveopen.

while the string is moved'in the well so that fluid may be pumpedl intothe well to flush the same.

8. A tool for use on a tubular well string comprising a body structureilxed to thestring, a discharge member of packing'material secured tothe body structure and having at least one lateral discharge opening forregistering with ports or other openings in the well lining, thedischarge n Vs fluid from the first passage to the second passage,

and control means comprising a mandrel shift-A able relative to the bodystructure and'adapted ment so that the body structure may be moved toopen the valve, latch means released by movement of the string forholding the last named member sealing with the' well lining around theopen the valve, means eugageable with the well lining for holding themandrel against movement so that the body structure may be moved to openthe valve, and releasable latch means for holding the last named meansagainst operation.

10. A tool iorV use on a tubular well string comprising a tubularsection iixed to the string, a packer member on the section having a,surface for sealing with the interior of the well lining and having adischarge opening in said surface for discharging uid into ports in thewell lining, a tube within the section having its upper end incommunication withv the string and spaced from the interior of thesection to leave a iluid passage, means for putting the interior oi.'the tube in communication with the discharge opening 'of the packermember so that tluid may be passed through the string to the dischargeopening', means for maintaining said passage in communication with theinterior of the well liningA above the packer member, a valve forcontrolling 4 for discharging uid into ports in the 'well lining,

9, A tool for use on a tubular well string comdischarge opening, thebody structure having a` ilrst passage leading from the string to the-discharge opening whereby iluid may be passed down through the stringto the discharge'opening and having a secondpassage joining the llrstpassage below the discharge opening and communicating with the interiorof the well lining, a valve for preventing the delivery of 4a tubewithin the section having its upper end in communication with the stringand spaced from the interior of the section to leave a lluid passage,means for putting the interior of the tube in communication with the.discharge opening of the packer member so that iluid may be .V

passed through the string to the discharge opening, means formaintaining said passage in communication with the interior of'the welllining above the packer member, said section having a chambercommunicating with the passage, the interior of the well below thepacker member, and the tube, a valve for closing' of! the tube from thesaid chamber, and a control operable by movement of the string foropening the valve.

CHARLS K. HOLT.

the valve is

